Two months ago, I went to the chiropractor with a complaint of left shoulder pain. When I mentioned it to the chiropractor, he did a range of motion test.  When I told him, the pain increased with specific movements, he said he thought I had a torn rotator cuff. When I left his office, I was confused.

How Could This Happen?

A torn rotator cuff? How could that happen. A month earlier I fell on the ice and injured my right leg and hip. Nothing was broke, thankfully, but I struggled with limited mobility for a little over a week. It was once I regained full use of my leg that my shoulder started bothering me. Originally, I thought it hurt because I was somehow over compensating for my right leg and it affected my left shoulder. That is what prompted me to see the chiropractor.

Initially I did nothing about the shoulder. I think I was in denial and hoped it would heal on its own. When two weeks later I still suffered with pain, I called and made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon that specialized in shoulders. The week before the appointment I was talking to my father about the shoulder and he said I should see a different chiropractor; I should get a second opinion.

I gave some thought to what my father said and called another chiropractor who was willing to see me the following day. The result of that appointment was not a confirmation of the diagnosis of a torn rotator cuff, but a diagnosis of calcific tendonitis.

Torn Rotator Cuff or Calcific Tendonitis?

The symptoms of calcific tendonitis are like those of a torn rotator cuff. One major difference, at least as far as I can tell, is with a torn rotator cuff your strength is gone, while with calcific tendonitis (of the shoulder) you retain some strength and the range of motion isn’t as limited. When the second chiropractor did a muscle strength test, I still had some range of motion and strength in the arm. Once he completed the exam and adjusted me, he determined I suffered with calcific tendonitis of the shoulder.

I was relieved that I didn’t have a torn rotator cuff. I know surgery is not always necessary, but the thought of it didn’t please me. I didn’t want to be without use of my shoulder over the summer. That would keep me from my garden. Now I know what ails my shoulder. The chiropractor suggested exercises to help me through what I believe will be a long process of healing, yet without having to be immobile.

Through research I found many people suffer or have suffered with similar complaints as what I mentioned above. In some instances, people suffer such debilitating pain that it keeps them from enjoying life in its simplest form.

Symptoms of Calcific Tendonitis

• The pain often occurs in the morning.
• Stiffness in the shoulder – which leads the physician to assume frozen shoulder or a torn rotator cuff based on primary examination.
• Significant sleep disruption due to pain. I wake up when in my sleep I turn on my left side and experience pain with movement.
• Reduced range of motion. I can only lift my arm at a 90-degree angle.
• Limited activities of daily living due to pain. I can’t lift anything over my head or to my left side.

I am fortunate, because I went to a chiropractor knowledgeable enough to recognize the signs of calcific tendonitis. Others haven’t been so lucky. Some of the stories I’ve heard tell of people who have suffered in pain while making visits to orthopedists, physical therapists, and neurosurgeons which resulted in prescriptions and injections and ultimately unnecessary surgery. This, only to experience pain again with no explanation.

Does Any of the Above Sound Familiar?

If so, please have it examined to rule out problems related to joints and surrounding tissue. If you have Hashimoto’s you may want to check your T3, T4, and vitamin D levels to be sure levels haven’t changed. If your lab results change and your thyroid may be under stress it could prompt a secondary condition such as frozen shoulder of calcific tendonitis.

I went to a knowledgeable chiropractor who was able to recommend the proper exercises and massage techniques. If your shoulder pain is due to a change in your thyroid condition, you may want to refrain from rigorous therapy. It may increase the pain.

I began the exercises recommended by my chiropractor and began using Arnica Rub to ease the pain. It helps relieve the pain associated with massage and exercise. Follow your doctor’s guidelines when it comes to exercise. You don’t want to over exert yourself.

On the Mend

It has been a long three months, but I’m on the mend. I have increased mobility of my shoulder. The exercises have helped tremendously and knowing what points to massage has relieved the pain. I’m not fully recovered but expect to be back to my old self in a couple of more weeks.

I share this story with you today because I have been researching shoulder pain with regards to Hashimoto’s and thyroid disease. At this point it is not known why, but people who have thyroid disease often suffer from shoulder pain. Sometimes the pain is a result of adhesive capsulitis also known as frozen shoulder. In other instances, it is a result of calcific tendonitis as in my case.

I hope that by sharing the information in this post it will make more people aware of the possible connection of shoulder pain to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. I am living a good life and continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle medication free. However, on occasion I still experience these little symptoms that remind me I need to focus on good health. I will continue to share these experiences to bring more awareness to Thyroid disease in hopes to help others recognize and heal.